A flight takes off or lands at Reagan National Airport’s main runway every 60 seconds. Despite the taxing schedule and warnings about the airport’s dangers, Congress added five flight slots at DCA in 2025, an extra five take-offs and five landings per day.
Were concerns brought up in the past?
At the time, Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., brought up concerns. He told his colleagues the extra flights were overwhelming the airport.
“You’re going to do it to convenience a few dozen members … at the expense of everybody who lives around this airport who would potentially be victimized if there was some kind of a collision,” Kaine said in May 2024.
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That’s exactly what happened the night of Wednesday, Jan. 29, when an American Airlines regional jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided midair. There were 64 people on board the plane and three on the helicopter. No one survived.
U.S. Figure Skating can confirm that several members of our skating community were sadly aboard American Airlines Flight 5342, which collided with a helicopter yesterday evening in Washington, D.C. These athletes, coaches, and family members were returning home from the National…
— U.S. Figure Skating (@USFigureSkating) January 30, 2025
The American Airlines flight involved in the crash was using one of the newly created slots.
Officials built DCA to fly 15 million passengers a year, in and out, on three runways. The airport currently accommodates 25 million passengers on a single runway.
What’s the reaction to the crash?
Some are now asking lawmakers if they made a mistake adding flights to an airport they knew was already beyond its capacity. Right now, lawmakers say it’s too soon to know.
“We’ll get the answers, and then, you know, my colleagues and I will figure out what steps need to be taken,” Kaine said Thursday, Jan. 30.
Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., said he too has had concerns about the airport. He admitted it’s challenging to land there.
“We’ve all experienced multiple times, the weaving to get a perfect landing direction, how quickly the brakes have to go on, how steep the ascent and descent is at Reagan. It’s complicated,” Cramer said. “Only the most experienced, best pilots can do it.”
Can the airport’s issues be fixed?
The problem is Reagan can’t expand. It has the Potomac River to the east and south and a fully developed Crystal City, Virginia, to the West. So as planes get bigger, the airport’s 7,169-foot runway stays the same.
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“Whenever I’m at Reagan and I see new gates being built, the terminal getting larger, realizing that there’ll never be another inch of runway and that the skies are pretty congested,” Cramer said. “I often think there’s, there’s too much activity for this small plot of land and I’m sure there’ll be a reevaluation of all of that.”
The NTSB, FAA and Army are investigating.
Tags: Airport, Crash, FAA, FAA, Federal Aviation Administration, helicopter crash, National Transportation Safety Board, plane crash, Ronald Reagan, U.S. Army, U.S. Congress, Washington DC
A flight takes off or lands at Reagan National Airport’s main runway every sixty seconds. Despite the taxing schedule and warnings about the airport’s dangers, Congress added five flight slots at DCA last year, an extra five take offs and five landings per day.
At the time, Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia sounded the alarm. He told his colleagues the airport was overburdened.
Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va: “You’re going to do it to convenience a few dozen members…at the expense of everybody who lives around this airport who would potentially be victimized if there was some kind of a collision.”
That’s exactly what happened Wednesday night when an American Airlines regional jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided midair. There were 64 souls on board the plan and three on the helicopter. No one survived.
The American Airlines flight involved in the crash was using one of the newly created slots.
DCA was built for 15 million passengers a year in and out on three runways. It’s currently at 25 million on one runway.
Members are being asked if they made a mistake adding flights to an airport they knew was already beyond its intended capacity. Right now, they say it’s too soon to know.
Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va.: “We’ll get the answers, and then, you know, my colleagues and I will figure out what steps need to be taken.”
Sen. Kevin Cramer, R- N.D., said he too has had concerns about the airport and admitted it’s challenging to land there.
Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-ND: “We’ve all experienced multiple times, the weaving to get a perfect landing direction, how quickly the brakes have to go on, how steep the ascent and descent is at Reagan. It’s complicated. Only the only the most experienced, best pilots can do it.”
The problem is Reagan can’t expand. It has the Potomac River to the east and south and a fully developed Crystal City, Virginia to the West. So as planes get bigger, its 7,169 foot runway stays the same.
Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-ND: “Whenever I’m at Reagan and I see new gates being built, the terminal getting larger, realizing that there’ll never be another inch of runway, and that the skies are pretty congested. I often think there’s, there’s too much activity for this small plot of land and, and I’m sure there’ll be a reevaluation of all of that.”
The NTSB, FAA and Army are investigating.
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The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA, is working on a heavy-duty seaplane called the “Liberty Lifter.” Straight Arrow News first reported on the project in 2023, and now there are some updates to pass along.
Of the two designs initially chosen, DARPA down-selected the model presented by Aurora Flight Sciences, a Boeing company.
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Aurora is now in the process of designing and building a demonstrator that will be roughly the size of a C-130. The purpose of the Liberty Lifter is to combine transport at the scale of a ship with the speed of an aircraft.
In 2022, the project requirements stated that the plane would need to carry the equivalent of two U.S. Marine Corps Amphibious Combat Vehicles. Each ACV weighs 67,500 pounds — which gives the plane nearly the same cargo-carrying capacity as a C-17 Globemaster.
If the Liberty Lifter is closer in size to a C-130, however, its total carrying capacity will be closer to 42,000 pounds. But if the concept is proven viable and cost-effective, many of the same technologies could be scaled up to accommodate a seaplane the size of a Globemaster.
Where will the Liberty Lifter operate?
Unlike the C-17, the flying boat will need to lift those tools at altitudes up to 10,000 feet and as low as a few feet above the surface of the water.
In comments to Naval News, the Liberty Lifter program manager said the vehicle will be crucial for successful littoral operations in the Pacific should a conflict occur.
That’s because it will be a long-range craft that is runway– and port-infrastructure-independent. The plane would be able to fly to a remote island in the middle of the ocean, drop off Marines or soldiers armed with all sorts of weaponry, and take off again fairly quickly — no air traffic controllers or port masters involved.
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Does DARPA see any other uses for Liberty Lifter?
The plane can also be used for search and rescue operations or humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions. DARPA says the remoteness and lack of runways and ports in the Pacific make traditional logistics support impossible when time is a factor.
When Straight Arrow News first reported on the plane in 2023, it was expected to take flight sometime in 2027 or 2028. The maiden voyage is now scheduled for fiscal year 2029.
[Ryan Robertson]
THE DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECT AGENCY, OR DARPA, IS WORKING ON A HEAVY DUTY SEAPLANE CALLED THE LIBERTY LIFTER. WE FIRST REPORTED ON THE PROJECT IN 2023, AND NOW, THERE ARE SOME UPDATES TO PASS ALONG.
OF THE TWO DESIGNS INITIALLY CHOSEN, DARPA DOWNSELECTED THE MODEL PRESENTED BY AURORA FLIGHT SCIENCES, A BOEING COMPANY.
AURORA IS NOW IN THE PROCESS OF DESIGNING AND BUILDING A DEMONSTRATOR THAT WILL BE ROUGHLY THE SIZE OF A C-130. THE PURPOSE OF THE LIBERTY LIFTER IS TO COMBINE TRANSPORT AT THE SCALE OF A SHIP WITH THE SPEED OF AN AIRCRAFT. IN 2022, THE PROJECT REQUIREMENTS SAID THE PLANE WOULD NEED TO CARRY THE EQUIVALENT OF TWO US MARINE CORPS AMPHIBIOUS COMBAT VEHICLES. EACH ACV WEIGHS 67,500. THAT’S ALMOST THE SAME CARGO-CARRYING CAPACITY AS A C-17 GLOBEMASTER.
IF THE LIBERTY LIFTER IS CLOSER IN SIZE TO A C-130, THOUGH, TOTAL CARRYING CAPACITY OF THE PLANE WILL BE CLOSER TO 42,000 POUNDS. BUT, IF THE CONCEPT IS PROVEN OUT AND COST EFFECTIVE, MANY OF THE SAME TECHNOLOGIES COULD CONCEIVABLY BE SCALED UP TO ACCOMMODATE A SEAPLANE THE SIZE OF A GLOBEMASTER.
UNLIKE THE C-17, THOUGH, THE FLYING BOAT WILL NEED TO LIFT THOSE TOOLS OF LIBERATION AT ALTITUTES UP TO 10,000 FEET AND AS LOW AS A FEW FEET ABOVE THE SURFACE OF THE WATER.
IN COMMENTS TO NAVAL NEWS, THE LIBERTY LIFTER PROGRAM MANAGER SAID THE VEHICLE WILL BE CRUSICAL TO SUCCESSFUL LITTORAL OPERATIONS IN THE PACIFIC, SHOULD A CONFLICT OCCUR.
THAT’S BECAUSE IT’LL BE A LONG-RANGE CRAFT THAT’S RUNWAY AND PORT INFRASTRUCTURE INDEPENDENT. THE PLANE CAN LITERALLY FLY TO A REMOTE ISLAND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE OCEAN, DROP-OFF SOME MARINES OR SOLDIERS ARMED WITH ALL SORTS OF ARMAMENTS, AND LIFTOFF AGAIN FAIRLY QUICKLY. NO AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS OR PORT MASTERS INVOLVED.
THE PLANE CAN ALSO BE USED FOR SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS, OR HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE AND DISASTER RELIEF MISSIONS. DARPA SAYS THE REMOTENESS AND THE LACK OF RUNWAYS AND PORTS IN THE PACIFIC MAKE TRADITIONAL LOGISTICS SUPPORT IMPOSSIBLE WHEN TIME IS A FACTOR.
WHEN WE FIRST REPORTED ON THE PLANE IN 2023, IT WAS EXPECTED TO TAKE FLIGHT IN THE PHYSICAL WORLD SOMETIME IN 2027 OR 2028. THE MAIDEN VOYAGE SLASH FLIGHT IS NOW SCHEDULED TO HAPPEN IN FISCAL YEAR 2029.
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Australian police find explosives-filled van in alleged antisemitic terror plot
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Australian authorities said a planned terror attack against the country’s Jewish community was foiled by investigators. Officials said they discovered a camper loaded with explosives in a Sydney suburb.
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When did the police discover the camper?
“Police were made aware of a van with explosive material located in Dural. They’ve been conducting investigation into the site, into the van, into the owners of the van, and any associates of the owners that van since that time,” New South Wales Premier Chris Minns, said.
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The discovery happened on Sunday, Jan. 19, but the public was not notified until Wednesday, Jan. 29. The next day, Thursday, Jan. 30, law enforcement revealed the owner of the caravan is in police custody for separate antisemitic crimes.
Why did police wait to release details?
NSW Police Force Deputy Commissioner David Hudson and Premier Minns defended the decision to keep the information a secret until this week.
Both argued that the decision to keep details from the public were to protect the investigation. Hudson criticized the media for hurting the ongoing probe by publishing important information.
“We still are after other offenders that we believe may be involved,” Hudson said. “To come out prior to it being put out by particular news establishments would compromise our job that was going to happen once it became, so we felt, so we’ve been in discussions with the government, and we’ve sort of disclosed fully what we’re aware of and where we’re going with this job.”
Hudson also claimed police made arrests on the “periphery” of the case during the 10 days since the van’s discovery. However, authorities would not reveal the charges. Hudson also declined to disclose potential targets of the alleged plot during the press conference.
What was found inside the van?
However, the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies said on Wednesday, Jan. 29, that the van had a note outlining potential Jewish community targets.
Investigators believe the latest terror plot is related to several arson and vandalism incidents in the Sydney area in recent weeks. Investigators found stolen putty explosives and a note with an obscenity toward Jewish people in the van.
Authorities did not find a detonation device at the scene. They don’t believe there is an ongoing threat to the public.
What’s next in the investigation?
Hudson said a counterterrorism operation of 100 officers has been put on the case. That group is working with numerous local and federal agencies in the investigation.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promised the “full might” of the law will be brought to find the perpetrators of the planned terror attack. He said, “Hate and extremism have no place in Australian society.”
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Some within the Jewish community in Sydney and Melbourne have called on the Australian government to do more in the wake of antisemitism. The area has seen a spike since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and subsequent war in Gaza. Australian officials also note, anti-Muslim acts have also risen since the start of the war.
Tags: antisemitism, Australia, Crime, Domestic terrorism, Gaza, Hamas, Hate Crime, Hate speech, Investigation, Israel, Israel Defense Forces, Jewish, Muslim, Terrorism, Terrorist Attack
[CRAIG NIGRELLI]
A PLANNED TERROR ATTACK AGAINST AUSTRALIA’S JEWISH COMMUNITY WAS FOILED BY AUTHORITIES WHO DISCOVERED A CARAVAN LOADED WITH EXPLOSIVES IN A SYDNEY SUBURB, ACCORDING TO NEW SOUTH WALES OFFICIALS.
[CHRIS MINNS]
POLICE WERE MADE AWARE OF A VAN WITH EXPLOSIVE MATERIAL LOCATED IN DURAL. THEY’VE BEEN CONDUCTING INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE SITE, INTO THE VAN, INTO THE OWNERS OF THE VAN AND ANY ASSOCIATES OF THE OWNERS TO THAT VAN SINCE THAT TIME.”
[CRAIG NIGRELLI]
THE DISCOVERY HAPPENED NEARLY TWO WEEKS AGO BUT THE PUBLIC WASN’T NOTIFIED UNTIL WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY LAW ENFORCEMENT REVEALED THE OWNER OF THE CARAVAN IS IN POLICE CUSTODY FOR SEPARATE ANTISEMITIC CRIMES.
THE N-S-W POLICE FORCE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER DAVID HUDSON AND NEW SOUTH WALES PREMIER CHRIS MINNS ARE DEFENDING THE DECISION TO KEEP THE INFORMATION A SECRET UNTIL NOW.
ARGUING DECISIONS TO KEEP DETAILS FROM THE PUBLIC WERE TO PROTECT THE INVESTIGATION AND CRITICIZED THE MEDIA FOR HURTING THE ONGOING PROBE BY PUBLISHING IMPORTANT INFORMATION.
[DAVID HUDSON]
WE STILL ARE AFTER OTHER OFFENDERS THAT WE BELIEVE MAY BE INVOLVED. TO COME OUT PRIOR TO IT BEING PUT OUT BY PARTICULAR NEWS ESTABLISHMENTS WOULD COMPROMISE OUR JOB THAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN ONCE IT BECAME, SO WE FELT, SO WE’VE BEEN IN DISCUSSIONS WITH GOVERNMENT AND WE’VE SORT OF DISCLOSED FULLY WHAT WE’RE AWARE OF AND WHERE WE’RE GOING WITH THIS JOB.
[CRAIG NIGRELLI]
HUDSON ALSO SAID POLICE MADE ARRESTS ON THE “PERIPHERY” OF THE CASE DURING THE TEN DAYS SINCE THE VAN’S DISCOVERY BUT WOULD NOT REVEAL THE CHARGES.
HUDSON FAILED TO DISCLOSE POTENTIAL TARGETS DURING THE PRESS CONFERENCE.
THE N-S-W JEWISH BOARD OF DEPUTIES, HOWEVER, SAID WEDNESDAY, THE VAN HAD A NOTE OUTLINING POTENTIAL JEWISH COMMUNITY TARGETS.
INVESTIGATORS BELIEVE THE LATEST TERROR PLOT IS RELATED TO SEVERAL ARSON AND VANDALISM INCIDENTS IN THE SYDNEY AREA OVER RECENT WEEKS.
THEY SAY THE VAN CONTAINED PUTTY EXPLOSIVES THAT WERE STOLEN FROM A MINING SITE AND A NOTE WITH AN OBSCENITY DIRECTED TOWARD JEWS.
AUTHORITIES SAY NO DETONATION DEVICE WAS FOUND AT THE SCENE AND DO NOT BELIEVE THERE IS AN ONGOING THREAT TO THE COMMUNITY.
HUDSON SAID A COUNTERTERRORISM OPERATION OF 100 OFFICERS HAS BEEN PUT ON THE CASE AND THEY’RE WORKING WITH SEVERAL LOCAL AND FEDERAL AGENCIES.
AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER ANTHONY ALBANESE PROMISED THE “FULL MIGHT” OF THE LAW WILL BE BROUGHT TO FIND THE PERPETRATORS OF THE PLANNED TERROR ATTACK AND SAID QUOTE: “HATE AND EXTREMISM HAVE NO PLACE IN AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY.”
SOME WITHIN THE JEWISH COMMUNITY IN SYDNEY AND MELBOURNE HAVE CALLED ON THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT TO DO MORE IN THE WAKE OF ANTISEMITIC ACTS, WHICH HAVE SEEN A SPIKE SINCE HAMAS’ ATTACK AGAINST ISRAEL ON OCTOBER 7TH, 2023, AND SUBSEQUENT WAR IN GAZA.
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President Donald Trump addressed the nation just hours after a midair collision involving a commercial jet and army helicopter near Washington, D.C. It’s considered a recovery operation with Trump confirming there are no survivors.
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“This was a dark and excruciating night in our nation’s capital and in our nation’s history,” Trump said after holding a moment of silence for the victims.
Both aircraft crashed around 9 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29, into the Potomac River near Reagan Airport.
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Who was aboard the plane and helicopter?
Some of the 64 people aboard the plane, which departed from Wichita, Kansas, were figure skaters attending a national skating championship.
The Kremlin confirmed Russian figure skaters were also on board.
The three soldiers aboard the helicopter were on an annual flight training.
What is President Trump saying about the cause?
While an official cause of the crash has not yet been announced, President Trump said the White House has “strong opinions” of how it may have happened, alluding to the helicopter pilot being at fault.
“The helicopter had vision of the plane, and for some reason, there weren’t any adjustments made,” Trump said. “The people in the helicopter should have been able to see.”
Trump also noted that the two aircraft should have been at different heights. Officials said that initial information indicated that nothing was unusual about the moments leading up to the crash.
At the press conference, President Trump also placed blame on previous Democratic administrations.
“We must have only the highest standards for those who work in our aviation system,” Trump said. “I changed the Obama standards from very mediocre at best to extraordinary.”
Why did President Trump mention DEI?
President Trump also appeared to blame a “diversity push” at the FAA for the midair collision, reading some news headlines.
“I do want to point out that various articles that appeared prior to my entering office. And here’s one: the FAA’s diversity push includes focus on hiring people with severe intellectual and psychiatric disabilities,” Trump said.
When he was asked to clarify why he thought a diversity push played a role, he said, “It just could have been. We have a high standard. We’ve had a higher, much higher standard than anybody else.”
Trump did not cite any evidence.
He also placed blame on the Biden administration’s transportation secretary, Pete Buttigieg, using an expletive to describe Buttigieg’s time in office.
“He’s a disaster now. He’s just got a good line of bulls—,” Trump said of Buttigieg. “Well, he runs it, 45,000 people, and he’s run it right into the ground with his diversity.”
Buttigieg responded to Trump in a post on X.
“Despicable. As families grieve, Trump should be leading, not lying,” Buttigieg said. “We put safety first, drove down close calls, grew Air Traffic Control, and had zero commercial crash fatalities out of millions of flights on our watch.”
Despicable. As families grieve, Trump should be leading, not lying. We put safety first, drove down close calls, grew Air Traffic Control, and had zero commercial airline crash fatalities out of millions of flights on our watch.
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) January 30, 2025
President Trump now oversees the military and the…
What is Trump’s transportation secretary saying?
Trump’s pick for transportation secretary, Sean Duffy, who just started the job, also spoke during the press conference.
“When Americans take off in airplanes, they should expect to land at their destination — that didn’t happen yesterday,” Duffy said. “That’s not acceptable, and so we will not accept excuses. We will not accept passing the buck.”
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Is it safe to fly?
President Trump said while the investigation into the crash is ongoing, people should not be hesitant to fly and added the United States has the safest air travel in the world.
Tags: Airport, Crash, Donald Trump, helicopter crash, National Transportation Safety Board, Pete Buttigieg, plane crash, Public Transportation
[Jack Aylmer]
PRESIDENT TRUMP ADDRESSED THE NATION … JUST HOURS AFTER A MIDAIR COLLISION INVOLVING A COMMERCIAL JET AND ARMY HELICOPTER NEAR WASHINGTON D-C.
IT’S NOW CONSIDERED A RECOVERY OPERATION WITH TRUMP CONFIRMING THERE ARE NO SURVIVORS.
[Donald Trump]
“This was a dark and excruciating night in our nation’s capital and in our nation’s history”
[Jack Aylmer]
BOTH AIRCRAFTS CRASHED AROUND 9 P-M WEDNESDAY NIGHT INTO THE POTOMAC RIVER NEAR REAGAN NATIONAL.
SOME OF THE 64 PEOPLE ABOARD THE PLANE, DEPARTING FROM WICHITA, KANSAS WERE FIGURE SKATERS ATTENDING A NATIONAL SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS.
THE KREMLIN CONFIRMED RUSSIAN FIGURE SKATERS WERE ALSO ON BOARD.
THE THREE SOLDIERS ON BOARD THE HELICOPTER WERE ON AN ANNUAL FLIGHT TRAINING.
WHILE OFFICIALS HAVEN’T ANNOUNCED AN OFFICIAL CAUSE OF THE CRASH …
PRESIDENT TRUMP SAYS THE WHITE HOUSE HAS “STRONG OPINIONS” OF HOW IT MAY HAVE HAPPENED … ALLUDING TO EITHER THE HELICOPTER PILOT OR THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER BEING AT FAULT.
[Donald Trump]
They should have seen where they were going.
[Jack Aylmer]
OFFICIALS SAID THAT INITIAL INFORMATION INDICATED THAT NOTHING WAS UNUSUAL ABOUT THE MOMENTS LEADING UP TO THE CRASH.
AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE, PRESIDENT TRUMP ALSO PLACED BLAME ON PREVIOUS DEMOCRATIC ADMINISTRATIONS.
[Donald Trump]
“We must have only the highest standards for those who work in our aviation system. I changed the Obama standards from very mediocre at best to extraordinary. “You remember that. Only the highest aptitude. They have to be the highest intellect and psychologically superior people were allowed to qualify for air traffic controllers. That was not so prior to getting there.”
[Jack Aylmer]
PRESIDENT TRUMP ALSO APPEARED TO BLAME A “DIVERSITY PUSH” AT THE F-A-A FOR THE MID-AIR COLLISION READING HEADLINES.
[Donald Trump]
“I do want to point out that various articles that appeared prior to my entering office. And here’s one, the FAA’s diversity push includes focus on hiring people with severe intellectual and psychiatric disabilities,” Trump said.
[Jack Aylmer]
WHEN HE WAS ASKED TO CLARIFY WHY HE THOUGHT A DIVERSITY PUSH PLAYED A ROLE, HE SAID IT JUST “COULD” HAVE BEEN AT THAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS MUCH HIGHER STANDARD THAN ANYONE ELSE.
TRUMP DID NOT CITE ANY EVIDENCE.
HE ALSO PLACED BLAME ON PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN’S TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY PETE BUTTIGEIG… USING AN EXPLETIVE TO DESCRIBE BUTTIGEIG’S TIME IN OFFICE.
[Donald Trump]
“He’s a disaster now. He’s just got a good line of bulls—,” Trump said of Buttigieg. “Well he runs it, 45,000 people, and he’s run it right into the ground with his diversity.”
[Jack Aylmer]
TRUMP’S PICK FOR TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY – WHO JUST STARTED THE JOB – ALSO SPOKE DURING THE PRESS CONFERENCE.
[Jack Duffy]
“When Americans take off in airplanes, they should expect to land at their destination – that didn’t happen yesterday,” Duffy said. “That’s not acceptable, and so we will not accept excuses. We will not accept passing the buck.”
[Jack Aylmer]
PRESIDENT TRUMP SAYS WHILE THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE CRASH IS ONGOING – PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE HESITANT TO FLY ADDING THE UNITED STATES HAS THE SAFEST AIR TRAVEL IN THE WORLD.
FOR SAN I’M JACK AYLMER.
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Buses carrying Palestinian captives left a prison in the West Bank on Thursday, Jan. 30, after an initial delay in their release by the Israeli government. The buses traveled toward the city of Ramallah, where relatives awaited their return.
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What does the exchange entail?
Israel agreed to release 110 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Hamas to free Israeli hostages held in Gaza.
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It was the third round of exchanges since a ceasefire between the two sides was reached two weeks ago.
Why did Israel delay the prisoner release?
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu put the release on hold to demand the safe exit of Israeli hostages going forward.
Later, Netanyahu said he received that commitment and Israeli media reported the Palestinian releases would continue.
Who are the key figures?
Hamas released more than a half-dozen hostages Thursday morning, including 20-year-old Agam Berger, a female Israeli soldier, in northern Gaza.
Hours later, hundreds of militants from Hamas and thousands of watchers gathered in the city of Khan Younis to witness the release of Arbel Yehoud, 80-year-old Gadi Moses and five Thai laborers.
Yehoud was at the center of a dispute earlier in the week over the order in which the hostages would be released. Netanyahu called on international mediators to ensure the safety of hostages in future releases.
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What happens next?
The ceasefire between Hamas and Israel is still in phase one, which calls for Hamas to release 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Israeli forces pulled back from most of Gaza, allowing thousands of people to return to what was left of their homes.
Israel and Hamas must still negotiate the second phase, which calls for the terror group to release the remaining Israeli hostages. The ceasefire would then continue.
[CRAIG NIGRELLI]
A LINE OF BUSES CARRYING PALESTINIAN PRISONERS LEFT A PRISON IN THE WEST BANK ON THURSDAY AFTER THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT DELAYED THEIR RELEASE. THE BUSES HEADED TOWARD THE CITY OF RAMALLAH WHERE RELATIVES WAITED AND WERE READY TO CELEBRATE.
THE PRISONER SWAP ENTAILS ISRAEL RELEASING 110 PALESTINIAN PRISONERS IN EXCHANGE FOR HAMAS FREEING ISRAELI HOSTAGES IN GAZA. IT WAS THE THIRD-ROUND OF EXCHANGES SINCE A CEASE FIRE BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS WAS REACHED, LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AGO.
EARLIER, PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU PUT THE RELEASE OF 110 PALESTINIANS PRISONERS ON-HOLD, AS HE DEMANDED THE SAFE EXIT FOR ISRAELI HOSTAGES GOING FORWARD. LATER, NETANYAHU SAID HE RECEIVED THAT COMMITMENT AND ISRAELI MEDIA REPORTED THE PALESTINIAN RELEASES WOULD GO FORWARD.
HAMAS RELEASED MORE THAN A HALF-DOZEN HOSTAGES EARLIER IN THE DAY, INCLUDING FEMALE SOLDIER, 20-YEAR-OLD AGAM BERGER IN NORTHERN GAZA.
HOURS LATER, HUNDREDS OF MILITANTS FROM HAMAS AND THOUSANDS OF WATCHERS GATHERED IN THE CITY OF KHAN YOUNIS, TO WITNESS THE RELEASE OF FEMALE HOSTAGE ARBEL YEHOUD, ALONG WITH 80-YEAR-OLD GADI MOSES AND FIVE THAI LABORERS.
YEHOUD HAD BEEN AT THE CENTER OF A DISPUTE EARLIER IN THE WEEK OVER THE ORDER IN WHICH THE HOSTAGES WOULD BE RELEASED. THE UNITED STATES, EQYPT AND QATAR, BROKERED THE AGREEMENT, SO THAT SHE WOULD BE RELEASED ON THURSDAY.
NETANYAHU HAS CALLED ON INTERNATIONAL MEDIATORS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF HOSTAGES IN FUTURE RELEASES.
THIS IS THE STILL PHASE ONE OF THE CEASE FIRE, WHICH CALLS FOR HAMAS TO RELEASE 33 ISRAELI HOSTAGES IN EXCHANGE FOR NEARLY 2000 PALESITINIAN PRISONERS. ISRAELI FORCES HAVE ALSO PULLED BACK FROM MOST OF GAZA ALLOWING THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE TO RETURN TO WHAT’S LEFT OF THEIR HOMES SINCE THE WAR BROKE OUT IN OCTOBER OF 2023. ISRAEL AND HAMAS STILL MUST NEGOTIATE THE **SECOND PHASE** WHICH CALLS FOR THE TERROR GROUP TO RELEASE THE REMAINING ISRAELI HOSTAGES, THE CEASE-FIRE WOULD THEN CONTINUE. FOR MORE UNBIASED UPDATES, DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP
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A man who gained international attention for burning copies of the Quran in Sweden has been shot and killed. A Swedish judge confirmed the death of Salwan Momika, an Iraqi man whose protests led to widespread demonstrations in Muslim-majority countries.
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Momika fatally shot in apartment near Stockholm
Authorities said Momika was shot the night of Wednesday, Jan. 29, in an apartment building in Södertälje, near Stockholm, Sweden. He later died from his injuries.
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Swedish media report that authorities arrested five people in connection with the shooting. However, officials have not confirmed whether his killing was related to his past actions.
Prosecutors have opened a murder investigation. Investigators have not publicly disclosed a motive for the shooting.
Momika’s protests sparked riots and diplomatic backlash
Momika first gained global attention in 2023 after staging public Quran burnings in Sweden. He claimed his actions were a protest against Islam as a religion, not against individual Muslims. His demonstrations triggered violent riots, diplomatic fallout and increased security threats for Sweden.
While Swedish authorities initially allowed his protests under the country’s free speech laws, police later charged him with incitement to hatred. At the time of his death, Momika was awaiting a court verdict related to those charges. The court has now postponed his trial.
Sweden investigates possible foreign involvement
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said authorities are taking the case seriously and warned of possible foreign involvement in Momika’s killing. However, investigators have not released further details on any potential international links.
Momika’s case is not the first to test Sweden’s free speech laws. Danish-Swedish activist Rasmus Paludan was previously convicted of incitement. His conviction came after organizing multiple Quran burnings and making offensive remarks about Muslims.
A Swedish court sentenced him to four months in prison. The court ruled his actions crossed the line from criticism to hate speech.
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Momika’s death comes amid heightened tensions over religious protests in Sweden, with previous Quran burnings leading to cyberattacks, diplomatic crises and threats of violence against Swedish officials. Authorities said the investigation into his killing is ongoing.
[craig nigrelli]
A MAN WHO WAS ON TRIAL IN SWEDEN AFTER SPARKING INTERNATIONAL CONTROVERSY BY BURNING COPIES OF THE QURAN HAS BEEN SHOT AND KILLED. A SWEDISH JUDGE CONFIRMED THE DEATH OF SALWAN MOMIKA, AN IRAQI MAN WHO STAGED MULTIPLE QURAN BURNINGS THAT LED TO PROTESTS IN SWEDEN AND ACROSS MUSLIM-MAJORITY COUNTRIES.
AUTHORITIES SAY MOMIKA WAS FATALLY SHOT IN AN APARTMENT BUILDING NEAR STOCKHOLM, WEDNESDAY NIGHT. SWEDISH MEDIA REPORT FIVE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ARRESTED, BUT OFFICIALS HAVE NOT CONFIRMED IF THE SHOOTING WAS LINKED TO HIS PROTESTS.
MOMIKA FIRST MADE GLOBAL HEADLINES IN 2023 FOR PUBLICLY BURNING COPIES OF THE QURAN IN SWEDEN. HE CLAIMED HIS ACTIONS WERE A PROTEST AGAINST ISLAM AS A RELIGION, NOT AGAINST INDIVIDUAL MUSLIMS. HIS DEMONSTRATIONS TRIGGERED RIOTS, DIPLOMATIC BACKLASH, AND INCREASED SECURITY THREATS. WHILE SWEDISH POLICE ALLOWED THE PROTESTS UNDER FREE SPEECH LAWS, THEY LATER CHARGED HIM WITH INCITEMENT TO HATRED.
MOMIKA WAS FACING CHARGES IN SWEDEN, AND A COURT WAS EXPECTED TO SOON DELIVER A VERDICT IN HIS TRIAL.
SWEDISH PRIME MINISTER ULF KRISTERSSON SAYS AUTHORITIES ARE INVESTIGATING THE CASE AND WARNED OF POSSIBLE FOREIGN INVOLVEMENT. PROSECUTORS HAVE NOT CONFIRMED A MOTIVE BUT SAY THE INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING.
HIS CASE IS NOT THE FIRST TO TEST SWEDEN’S FREE SPEECH LAWS. DANISH-SWEDISH ACTIVIST RASMUS PALUDAN WAS PREVIOUSLY CONVICTED OF INCITEMENT AFTER STAGING MULTIPLE QURAN BURNINGS AND MAKING OFFENSIVE REMARKS ABOUT MUSLIMS.
A SWEDISH COURT SENTENCED PALUDAN TO FOUR MONTHS IN PRISON, RULING THAT HIS ACTIONS WENT BEYOND CRITICISM AND INTO HATE SPEECH.
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The Defense Intelligence Agency suspended its observance of several cultural and historical events following President Donald Trump’s executive order banning diversity, equity and inclusion programs in the federal government. The directive pauses all activities related to special emphasis programs and employee affinity groups within the DIA.
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A memo obtained by The Associated Press outlines the decision, halting 11 annual observances. That includes Black History Month, Pride Month, Holocaust Days of Remembrance and National Hispanic Heritage Month.
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The memo also listed Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth. However, it states that federal holidays will not be affected.
Intelligence officials are starting to leak to me now too. Here’s a memo Defense Intelligence Agency personnel received instructing them to suspend observances including:
— Ken Klippenstein (@kenklippenstein) January 29, 2025
– Holocaust Remembrance Day
– MLK Day
– Juneteenth pic.twitter.com/wQvGFxVfMD
Implementation varies across federal agencies
While the move aligns with Trump’s broader crackdown on DEI initiatives, a U.S. official confirmed it was an internal DIA decision and does not yet apply across the Pentagon.
Federal agencies have been working to implement the executive order, with some taking broad action due to a lack of clear guidance from the White House. The DIA memo states that employees have been asking about the future of planned events, but for now, all observances are on hold.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered a Pentagon-wide task force to ensure DEI programs are eliminated. In an interview with Fox News, he said, “We’re not joking around. DEI is gone.”
Uncertainty surrounds broader military policy
When asked whether Black History Month would still be recognized at the federal level, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration still plans to celebrate contributions from all Americans but did not specify if other agencies might follow the DIA’s lead.
This decision follows similar actions within the military. The Air Force recently removed DEI content from basic training. This move temporarily cut lessons on the Tuskegee Airmen and World War II female pilots. The service later clarified that those historical lessons would remain.
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The DIA said it will continue working with the Department of Defense to implement all executive orders. It remains unclear if other military branches or intelligence agencies will take similar action in the coming weeks.
Tags: DEI, Diversity and inclusion programs, Donald Trump, federal employees, Martin Luther King Jr., Pride, The Pentagon
[craig nigrelli]
THE DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY IS PAUSING ITS OBSERVANCE OF SEVERAL CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL EVENTS FOLLOWING PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP’S EXECUTIVE ORDER BANNING DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION PROGRAMS IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
A MEMO OBTAINED BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS OUTLINES THE DECISION, HALTING 11 ANNUAL OBSERVANCES, INCLUDING BLACK HISTORY MONTH, PRIDE MONTH, HOLOCAUST DAYS OF REMEMBRANCE, AND NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY AND JUNETEENTH WERE ALSO LISTED, THOUGH THE MEMO STATES THAT FEDERAL HOLIDAYS WILL NOT BE AFFECTED.
TUESDAY’S DIRECTIVE PAUSES ALL ACTIVITIES RELATED TO SPECIAL EMPHASIS PROGRAMS AND EMPLOYEE AFFINITY GROUPS WITHIN THE DIA.
WHILE THE MOVE ALIGNS WITH TRUMP’S BROADER CRACKDOWN ON DEI INITIATIVES, A U.S. OFFICIAL CONFIRMED IT WAS AN INTERNAL DIA DECISION AND DOES NOT YET APPLY ACROSS THE PENTAGON.
FEDERAL AGENCIES HAVE BEEN GRAPPLING WITH HOW TO IMPLEMENT THE EXECUTIVE ORDER, WITH SOME TAKING BROAD ACTION DUE TO A LACK OF CLEAR GUIDANCE FROM THE WHITE HOUSE. THE DIA MEMO SAYS EMPLOYEES HAVE BEEN ASKING ABOUT THE FUTURE OF PLANNED EVENTS, BUT FOR NOW, ALL OBSERVANCES ARE ON HOLD.
DEFENSE SECRETARY PETE HEGSETH ORDERED A PENTAGON-WIDE TASK FORCE TO ENSURE DEI PROGRAMS ARE ELIMINATED. IN AN INTERVIEW WITH FOX NEWS, HE SAID QUOTE, “WE’RE NOT JOKING AROUND. DEI IS GONE.”
WHEN ASKED WHETHER BLACK HISTORY MONTH WOULD STILL BE RECOGNIZED AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY KAROLINE LEAVITT SAID THE ADMINISTRATION STILL PLANS TO CELEBRATE CONTRIBUTIONS FROM ALL AMERICANS BUT DID NOT SAY IF OTHER AGENCIES MIGHT FOLLOW THE DIA’S LEAD.
THIS DECISION FOLLOWS SIMILAR ACTIONS WITHIN THE MILITARY. THE AIR FORCE RECENTLY REMOVED DEI CONTENT FROM BASIC TRAINING, TEMPORARILY CUTTING LESSONS ON THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN AND WORLD WAR II FEMALE PILOTS. THE SERVICE LATER CLARIFIED THAT THOSE HISTORICAL LESSONS WOULD REMAIN.
THE DIA SAYS IT WILL CONTINUE WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TO IMPLEMENT ALL EXECUTIVE ORDERS. IT’S UNCLEAR IF OTHER MILITARY BRANCHES OR INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES WILL TAKE SIMILAR ACTION IN THE COMING WEEKS.
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It’s a comeback that many might not have seen coming. Chili’s is America’s hottest restaurant right now.
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The increasingly popular restaurant chain’s sales went up 31% last quarter, marking the third quarter in a row of double-digit growth. Brinker International, Chili’s parent company, which also owns Maggiano’s, saw a stock bump of 16% on Wednesday, Jan. 29, alone.
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How did Chili’s become America’s #1 restaurant?
It’s not higher prices that are accounting for people spending more at Chili’s — it’s more people spending time there. Chili’s foot traffic went up 20% last quarter, according to the company.
The chain, which was falling behind other casual dining restaurants across the country, like Olive Garden and Texas Roadhouse, has a few things to thank for that, such as its upgraded french fry and chicken tender recipes, inexpensive meal deals, $6 margaritas and videos of its gooey mozzarella sticks going viral on TikTok, for starters.
That internet fame is what’s helped Chili’s survive the recent restaurant slowdowns, with other long-lasting chains like Red Lobster and TGI Friday’s filing for bankruptcy last year and Denny’s and Applebee’s announcing major store closings.
What’s next?
With how well things are going for Chili’s right now, Brinker said it’s now expecting to make $5.15 billion this fiscal year, up from its previous prediction of $4.7 billion.
On a call with analysts on Wednesday, Brinker’s Chief Executive Kevin Hochman said the numbers signal that Chili’s turnaround has taken hold “and it is sustainable.”
Hochman said the company will now shift its focus to turning around Maggiano’s using the Chili’s playbook.
[Craig Nigrelli]
IT’S A COMEBACK YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE SEEN COMING – CHILI’S IS AMERICA’S HOTTEST RESTAURANT RIGHT NOW.
THE INCREASINGLY POPULAR RESTAURANT CHAIN’S SALES WENT UP MORE THAN 30 PERCENT LAST QUARTER… MARKING A THIRD QUARTER IN A ROW OF DOUBLE-DIGIT GROWTH.
THAT DROVE ITS PARENT COMPANY – BRINKER INTERNATIONAL, WHICH ALSO OWNS MAGGIANO’S – STOCK UP 16 PERCENT ON WEDNESDAY ALONE.
AND IT’S NOT HIGHER PRICES THAT ARE ACCOUNTING FOR PEOPLE SPENDING MORE AT CHILI’S… IT’S MORE PEOPLE SPENDING TIME THERE.
CHILI’S FOOT TRAFFIC WENT UP 20 PERCENT LAST QUARTER, THE COMPANY SAID.
THE CHAIN – WHICH WAS FALLING BEHIND OTHER CASUAL DINING RESTAURANTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY LIKE OLIVE GARDEN AND TEXAS ROADHOUSE – HAS A FEW THINGS TO THANK FOR THAT… IT’S UPGRADED FRENCH FRY AND CHICKEN TENDER RECIPES, INEXPENSIVE MEAL DEALS, SIX-DOLLAR MARGARITAS, AND VIDEOS OF ITS GOOEY MOZZARELLA STICK GOING VIRAL ON TIKTOK, FOR STARTERS.
THAT INTERNET FAME IS WHAT’S HELPED CHILI’S SURVIVE THE RECENT RESTAURANT SLOWDOWNS WITH OTHER LONG-LASTING CHAINS LIKE RED LOBSTER AND T-G-I-FRIDAY’S FILING BANKRUPTCY LAST YEAR AND DENNY’S AND APPLEBEE’S ANNOUNCING MAJOR STORE CLOSINGS.
WITH HOW WELL THINGS ARE GOING FOR CHILI’S RIGHT NOW – BRINKER SAYS IT’S NOW EXPECTING TO MAKE 5 POINT 1-5 BILLION DOLLARS THIS FISCAL YEAR – UP FROM ITS PREVIOUS PREDICTION OF 4 POINT 7 BILLION.
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U.S. Figure Skating confirmed several of the organization’s skaters, coaches and family members were aboard American Eagle Flight 5342 that collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter the night of Wednesday, Jan. 29. Both aircraft plunged into the Potomac River in Washington D.C.
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Authorities said there are likely no survivors, and now a recovery mission is underway for the plane crash.
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Why were U.S. skaters in Wichita, Kansas?
The skaters participated in a skating and training camp in Wichita, Kansas, earlier this week.
“We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts,” U.S. Figure Skating said in a statement.
The organization did not identify any of the victims.
How long were the skaters in Kansas?
The Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championship wrapped up Sunday, Jan. 26, at INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita. The competition was broadcast on national television.
Champions were crowned in the men’s, women’s, pairs and ice dancing events.
Skaters competed in the final qualifier for the U.S. World and World Junior Championship teams. It was the first time the event was held in Wichita.
The development camp followed the championships over the past few days in Wichita. U.S. Figure Skating said the athletes, coaches and families were returning home Wednesday.
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Were there skaters from other countries on the flight?
Russian state media reported two of its former skaters were among the passengers on the American Eagle flight.
The two skaters were a married couple who won the 1994 World Championship and remained in the U.S. following their retirement in the late 1990s.
The Kremlin confirmed that Russian nationals were aboard the flight that crashed but did not provide details.
A spokesman said they grieve and console the families and friends of their fellow citizens who died in the crash.
[CRAIG NIGRELLI]
U.S. FIGURE SKATING CONFIRMED THAT SEVERAL OF THE ORGANIZATION’S SKATERS, COACHES AND FAMILY MEMBERS WERE ON-BOARD AMERICAN EAGLE FLIGHT 5342 THAT COLLIDED WITH A BLACK HAWK HELICOPTER WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND PLUNGED INTO THE POTOMAC RIVER IN WASHINGTON. AUTHORITIES do not believe there are any survivors AND IT IS NOW A RECOVERY MISSION.
THE SKATERS HAD JUST PARTICIPATED IN A SKATING AND TRAINING CAMP IN WICHITA KANSAS. U.S. FIGURE SKATING RELEASED A STATEMENT SAYING, “ WE ARE DEVASTATED BY THIS UNSPEAKABLE TRAGEDY AND HOLD THE VICTIMS FAMILIES CLOSELY IN OUR HEARTS. “ THE ORGANIZATION DID NOT IDENTIFY WHO WAS ON-BOARD.
THE PREVAGEN U.S. FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS JUST WRAPPED LAST SUNDAY AT INTRUST BANK ARENA IN WICHITA. IT WAS BROADCAST ON NATIONAL TV. CHAMPIONS WERE CROWNED IN THE MEN’S, WOMEN’S, PAIRS AND ICE DANCING EVENTS. THE BIG EVENT WAS THE FINAL QUALIFIER FOR THE U.S WORLD AND WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS. IT WAS THE FIRST TIME THE EVENT WAS HELD IN WICHITA.
THE CAMP THEN FOLLOWED THE CHAMPIONSHIPS OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS, IN WICHITA. (PAUSE ) U.S. FIGURE SKATING SAID IN ITS STATEMENT, “THESE ATHLETES, COACHES AND FAMILY MEMBERS WERE RETURNING HOME FROM THE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CAMP HELD IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE U.S. FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS. “
RUSSIAN STATE MEDIA IS REPORTING THAT TWO OF ITS FORMER SKATERS WERE AMONG THE PASSENGERS ON THE AMERICAN EAGLE FLIGHT. THE NEWS AGENCIES IN RUSSIA ARE REPORTING THEY WERE A MARRIED COUPLE, WHO WON THE WORLD PAIRS FIGURE SKATING COMPETITION IN 1994 AND REMAINED IN THE UNITED STATES FOLLOWING THEIR RETIREMENT IN THE LATE 90’S.
THE KREMLIN CONFIRMED THAT RUSSIAN NATIONALS WERE ON BOARD THE FLIGHT THAT CRASHED BUT DID NOT SPECIFY WHO SPECIFICALLY. SPOKESMAN DMITRY PESKOV SAID THERE IS BAD NEWS FROM WASHINGTON AND WE GRIEVE AND CONSOLE WITH THE FAMILIES AND FRIENDS OF OUR FELLOW CITIZENS WHO DIED IN THIS PLANE CRASH. I’M CN, FOR MORE UNBIASED UPDATES, DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP
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Former senator and chairman of the U.S. Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee Bob Menendez was sentenced to 11 years behind bars for accepting bribes. The bribes included gold bars, cash and a luxury car in exchange for favors for Egyptian and New Jersey businessmen.
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U.S. Judge Sidney Stein handed down the sentence on Wednesday, Jan. 29, in a Manhattan district court following Menendez’s conviction in July on all 16 felony counts he faced, including bribery and fraud.
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He also became the first U.S. senator to be found guilty of acting as a foreign agent and resigned from Congress following his conviction.
Stein told Menendez during the sentencing, “You were successful, powerful. You stood at the apex of our political system.”
Stein added, “I don’t know what led you to commit these crimes.”
The judge ordered Menendez to surrender to authorities by June 6 to begin his prison term so that he can attend his wife Nadine Menendez’s corruption trial in March.
Following the sentencing, Menendez spoke to reporters outside the courthouse and called the trial politically motivated.
“This whole process has been nothing but a political witch hunt by the Justice Department and prosecutors who were more interested in political scalps, preparing to run for political office like Damian Williams,” said Menendez.
Menendez also echoed some of President Donald Trump’s past claims about the Southern District of New York.
“Welcome to the Southern District of New York. The wild west of political prosecutions,” Menendez said. “President Trump is right. This process is political, and it’s corrupted to the core. I hope President Trump cleans up the cesspool and restores the integrity to the system.”
Menendez vowed to appeal the sentence.
Before Menendez, Stein sentenced two New Jersey businessmen connected to Menendez’s bribes. Fred Daibes was sentenced to seven years in prison, and Wael Hanna was sentenced to more than eight years behind bars.
Menendez’s defense had sought just over two years in prison for the former senator, but after the businessmen’s sentences, they requested no more than eight years in prison for Menendez.
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The prosecution wanted a sentence of 15 years in prison for Menendez.
Nadine Menendez, whose trial was delayed due to a breast cancer diagnosis, is scheduled to begin her trial on March 18 in connection with her husband’s corruption charges.
She has pleaded not guilty for her alleged role in the bribery and fraud scheme.
Tags: Bob Menendez, corruption, Courts, Crime, Democratic Party, Democrats, Donald Trump, Egypt, Election, Fraud, New Jersey, New York, New York City, Prison, Senate Intelligence Committee, trial, U.S. Senate, Washington DC
[Craig Nigrelli]
FORMER CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE’S FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE AND ONCE-POWERFUL DEMOCRAT BOB MENDENDEZ WAS SENTENCED TO 11 YEARS BEHIND BARS FOR ACCEPTING BRIBES INCLUDING GOLD BARS, CASH AND A LUXURY CAR, IN EXCHANGE FOR FAVORS FOR EGYPT AND NEW JERSEY BUSINESSMEN.
JUDGE SIDNEY STEIN HANDED DOWN THE SENTENCE WEDNESDAY IN A MANHATTAN DISTRICT COURT FOLLOWING MENENDEZ’ CONVICTION IN JULY ON ALL 16 FELONY COUNTS HE FACED, INCLUDING BRIBERY AND FRAUD.
HE IS ALSO THE FIRST U-S SENATOR FOUND GUILTY OF ACTING AS FOREIGN AGENT AND RESIGNED FROM CONGRESS IN AUGUST FOLLOWING HIS CONVICTION.
STEIN TOLD MENENDEZ DURING THE SENTENCING QUOTE:
“YOU WERE SUCCESSFUL, POWERFUL. YOU STOOD AT THE APEX OF OUR POLITICAL SYSTEM. I DON’T KNOW WHAT LED YOU TO COMMIT THESE CRIMES.” END QUOTE.
STEIN ORDERED MENENDEZ TO SURRENDER TO AUTHORITIES BY JUNE 6TH TO BEGIN HIS PRISON TERM, SO HE CAN ATTEND HIS WIFE NADINE MENENDEZ’S CORRUPTION TRIAL IN MARCH.
FOLLOWING THE SENTENCING, MENENDEZ SPOKE TO REPORTERS OUTSIDE THE COURTHOUSE CALLING THE TRIAL POLITICALLY MOTIVATED.
THIS WHOLE PROCESS HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT A POLITICAL WITCHHUNT BY THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AND PROSECUTORS WHO WERE MORE INTERESTED IN POLITICAL SCALPS PREPARING TO RUN FOR POLITICAL OFFICE LIKE DAMIAN WILLIAMS.
MENENDEZ ALSO ECHOED SOME OF PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP’S PAST CLAIMS ABOUT THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK.
WELCOME TO THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK. THE WILD WEST OF POLITICAL PROSECUTIONS. PRESIDENT TRUMP IS RIGHT. THIS PROCESS IS POLITICAL AND IT’S CORRUPTED TO THE CORE. I HOPE PRESIDENT TRUMP CLEANS UP THE CESSPOOL AND RESTORES THE INTEGRITY TO THE SYSTEM.
MENENDEZ VOWED TO APPEAL THE SENTENCE.
BEFORE MENENDEZ, STEIN SENTENCED TWO NEW JERSEY BUSINESSMEN CONNECTED TO MENENDEZ’S BRIBES.
FRED DAIBES WAS SENTENCED TO SEVEN YEARS IN PRISON AND WAEL HANNA WAS SENTENCED TO MORE THAN EIGHT YEARS BEHIND BARS.
MENDEZEZ’S DEFENSE HAD SOUGHT JUST OVER TWO YEARS IN PRISON FOR THE FORMER SENATOR BUT AFTER THE BUSINESSMEN’S SENTENCES REQUESTED NO MORE THAN 8 YEARS.
THE PROSECUTION WANTED A SENTENCE OF 15 YEARS IN PRISON FOR MENENDEZ.
NADINE MENENDEZ, WHOSE TRIAL WAS DELAYED DUE TO A BREAST CANCER DIAGNOSIS, IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN HER TRIAL ON MARCH 18TH IN CONNECTION WITH HER HUSBAND’S CORRUPTION CHARGES.
SHE HAS PLEADED NOT GUILTY FOR HER ALLEGED ROLE IN THE BRIBERY AND FRAUD SCHEME.
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Media Landscape
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Left 34%
Center 26%
Right 41%
Bias Distribution
337 other sources covering this story
Total News Sources
337
Leaning Left
50
Center
38
Leaning Right
60
Last Updated
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